China Cyber-Gangs Use Underground Network

Chinese cybercriminals are finding new ways to send malicious apps to mobile users.

According to a new report, cybercriminals are targeting mobile users via a vast underground network of tools and services.

The Mobile Cybercriminal Underground Market Report outlines some of the key businesses operating in this vast and sophisticated network; which includes the selling of premium rate phone numbers, available from 220,000 Yuan.

The numbers are then used in conjunction with malicious apps that reply to text messages and delete confirmation messages, so users end up paying a large sum of money to cybercriminals without realising.

The report said: "The barriers to launching cybercriminal operations are less in number than ever. Toolkits are becoming more available and cheaper; some are even offered free of charge.

"Cybercriminals are also making use of the 'deep web' to sell products and services outside the indexed or searchable World Wide Web, making their online shops harder for law enforcement to find and take down."